Industry Spotlight: Douglas Krauss, Plant Manager, TE Connectivity

Douglas Krauss, Plant Manager, TE Connectivity

I am the Plant Manager for the Culpeper, Virginia, site of TE Connectivity, where I am responsible for manufacturing, production control, manufacturing engineering, procurement and shipping/receiving activities. I define goals, improve technologies and resolve problems on a daily basis. I am also responsible for translating customer requirements into state-of-the-art manufacturing strategies and processes, resulting in cost-effective processing and profitable manufacturing of company products. I develop operations-related plans, budgets, and policies and procedures.

As a corporation, TE provides support in the form of leadership, engineering, sales, finance and other departments. They use their size to leverage with suppliers and to better satisfy customers.

STEM is critical. It teaches skills to kids and young adults that are required for them to be successful in school, on teams and later on in business. Kids learn teamwork, project management, how to listen to alternative solutions to problems and how competition works. In sponsoring SySTEMic Solutions, my hope is twofold. One, I want to ensure that anyone who wants to participate in STEM camps and STEM education will not get turned away due to lack of funds. Two, I want to educate everyone that there are plenty of opportunities in the World for Engineering.

TE strongly believes in investing in the next generation of engineers. We do not expect an immediate or monitored ROI. We do not even expect the participants to join TE in five, 10 or 15 years. We do expect that the next generation of engineers will have the skills to work together as a team and that this early training will help solve the problems that the world will be presented with in the future.

Culpeper, Virginia, where our main plant is located, is a world leader in cable technology. From 6,000 meters below sea level to 5,000 meters above, Culpeper is technologically equipped to meet the toughest challenge. In our commitment to offering the best to our customers, Culpeper continues to invest in people, equipment, and facilities so that tomorrow's technology becomes available today. We are technology-driven and committed to providing working solutions through synergies in design innovation and materials that promote growth for both ourselves and our customers in an ever expanding global marketplace.

TE is committed to conducting business in ways that make a positive, sustainable impact in our communities. That's why we created the TE Responsibility Advantage (TERA) program, which directs our global corporate responsibility efforts, raises awareness of local initiatives and shares best practices worldwide. I am constantly inspired by our ability to innovate (over 18,000 patents), our ability to design (21 design centers) and our commitment to research and development ($675M annual investment).

You own your future. Take every opportunity you can to participate in any activity that excites you to think, learn, experience and innovate. Take chances and try new things. Most innovations occur because someone took a chance and tried something. Engineers lead innovation in every aspect of our lives. Don’t just be a part of it -- lead it! www.te.com